new ipod shuffle

The iPod too small to need a case, now has a case

SUMAJINSHUFFLE3RDGENCASESILICONE 20090410 085851 The iPod too small to need a case, now has a case

There’s far from anything revolutionary about silicon iPod cases anymore. This one only merits comment because it’s for the new iPod shuffle: a device so small, it doesn’t need a case. The iPod shuffle is barely noticeable at all and has only one port and one switch to defend, so the Sumajin 3rd Gen iPod Shuffle Silicone Case seems a bit much.

For USD$14, you get 2 flip-top sleeves to prevent your shuffle from getting scratched or dinged. The cases come in 6 colors plus “glow in the dark” which may be the most useful one–it might help you find your shuffle if you lose it!

New talking iPod shuffle released. Talks funny to PC users and annoys Apple earbud haters.

09ipodshuffle hand 20090311 191536 New talking iPod shuffle released. Talks funny to PC users and annoys Apple earbud haters.

Apple announced its newly designed iPod shuffle today. It’s nearly half of the size of the previous model and now it talks to you. The same VoiceOver technology found in Mac OS X now enables the iPod shuffle to speak your song titles, artists and playlist names (oh, yeah, you can have multiple playlists now!!).

This is now the third generation iPod shuffle and you’ll find all of its controls have moved from the device to the earphone cord. This means, with the press of a button on the supplied Apple earbuds, you can play, pause, adjust volume, switch playlists and hear the name of the song and artist. It also means if you’re one of the multitude of people that prefer not to use Apple earbuds with your iPod, you’re out of luck when it comes to the shuffle until third party adapters come along:

Apple says there will also be third-party adapters that will let you add a remote to your favorite headphones.

The new iPod shuffle comes in silver or black at a capacity of 4GB selling for USD$79. The new iPod shuffle requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS X v10.4.11 or later and iTunes 8.1 or later; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista, Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 3) or later and iTunes 8.1.

As this is a Mac website, I don’t usually list Windows PC requirements in the posts I make here, but thought I would this time since I’m going to talk about an interesting difference in using the 3rd Gen iPod shuffle on a PC than on a Mac: it talks funny on a PC. Watch this guided tour and at about 3 minutes and 24 seconds in you’ll hear what VoiceOver sounds like for PC users.

You might have noticed the mention of iTunes 8.1 in the shuffle’s requirements. iTunes 8.1 was released today as well. Here’s its list of added features:

  • Supports syncing with iPod shuffle (3rd generation).
  • Allows friends to request songs for iTunes DJ.
  • Adds Genius sidebar for your Movies and TV Shows.
  • Improves performance when downloading iTunes Plus songs.
  • Provides AutoFill for manually managed iPods.
  • Allows CDs to be imported at the same sound quality as iTunes Plus.
  • Includes many accessibility improvements.
  • Allows iTunes U and the iTunes Store to be disabled separately using Parental Controls.

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Has the pin on your 2G iPod shuffle dock lost its head?

shufflestub 20070827 211732 Has the pin on your 2G iPod shuffle dock lost its head?Has the head of the connector pin come off of the dock that came with your second generation iPod shuffle? Did you know you can get a new dock under Apple’s warranty? You can.

Did the head of the connector pin break off and get stuck inside your iPod? Apple’s warranty will get you a new dock and a new iPod shuffle.

The catch is Apple will only pony up the new goods if the pin is unbent and in otherwise good condition. Apple will also not be sympathetic if the connector is broken any lower than the first white ring from the top of the pin.

Evidently, the pin is a bit weak at that exact point and breaks are not uncommon. If yours has snapped off, call 1-800-SOS-APPL or visit the iPod shuffle Repair and Accessory Replacement page online. Your best bet is to call Apple at the number above and be firm about them replacing both items if that’s what you’re entitled to.

Knowledge is power and so is a working iPod dock.

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